Big Sam deserved the award & played a great game. But I thought most defenders played well, and was especially pleased with both outside linebackers, Muncie & Barrow, plus D. Jones showed he too can contribute, even this season.

Montgomery led the defense with a career-high 3 1/2 tackles for losses and challenged the team at halftime to "play like I play."

"I believe that during times of adversity, the older, veteran players have to get everybody's heads on straight to lead and go and play for the victory," said Montgomery, a junior.

Montgomery called the close win "a shock to our system."

"It was some of the younger guys' first time on the road and not knowing what to expect," Montgomery said. "A couple of veteran guys hadn't been in that situation in a long time. It was really a shock to our whole program, but we adjusted. We stuck our backs up."